Whitchurch High Pupil Sam Mayer was about to play a round of golf when they were taken

A budding golfer’s training has been hit into the bunker thanks to a callous thief.

Twelve-year-old Sam Mayer was having a half-term round of golf at Ridgeway Golf Club in Thornhill, when the clubs – worth £2,000 – were stolen from the clubhouse.

The Whitchurch High pupil is no amateur when it comes to taking a putt, and is devastated by the theft of the 13 clubs, some of which are custom fitted for him.

He said: “I’ve been using my uncle’s old golf clubs this weekend. They’re okay, but no where near as good as my own.

“I walked into the golf club and put them down to go out to the driving range and then got myself a drink – but the time I came back they had gone. It must have been only a few minutes.”

Sam, whose collection of clubs has been built up over the years, is no stranger to success on the golf course and his dad Michael fears not having his own clubs could set him back.

As well as being a member of Whitchurch Golf Club’s junior team, Sam has also represented the Cardiff and Vale Schools’ team and this weekend he is participating in the Welsh Under 16s Golfing Academy coaching day at the Celtic Manor in Newport.

Michael added: “Because of the level he plays at he can play with any club, but it’s the quality of play he won’t get from different clubs.

“I’m more disappointed about the value of the clubs, his mum and I have built up the set over the last few years. Now instead of having Christmas presents, Sam will have to have golf related items.

“These clubs would have lasted him another two years. In that bag he had to carry everything. He also had a wetsuit and a rangefinder worth £300.”

Sam’s golf clubs were the Taylor Made brand, and Michael has already been trawling the internet and made staff at local pawn shops aware of the theft.

Peter Johnson, the owner of Ridgeway Golf Club said that the theft was unfortunate but not unusual. He said: “It happens a lot, but what was unusual was that it was taken from inside the club. After we contacted the police the first thing I did was ring around neighbouring clubs to get them to keep an eye out for the set, and to warn them someone was doing this sort of thing.

“It’s sad, Sam’s such an up and coming golfer you like to see them do well at that age.”

The club contacted South Wales Police who gave them a crime number in connection with the theft.

If you have any information about the stolen clubs call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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